In my position at that critical moment the mere presence of a human creature was a positive relief to me.

Even this girl, with her coarse questions and her uncultivated manners, was a welcome intruder on my solitude: she offered me a refuge from myself.
"Your question is not very civilly put," I said.

"However, I excuse you.
You are probably not aware that I am a married woman." "What has that got to do with it ?" she retorted.

"Married or single, it's all one to the Major.

That brazen-faced hussy who calls herself Lady Clarinda is married, and she sends him nosegays three times a week! Not that I care, mind you, about the old fool.